Nature Energy and Nordion Energi enter into partnership for biogas production in Sweden

A partnership agreement between Nordion Energi, specialising in energy infrastructure, and Nature Energy, a leading actor in the production of biogas and renewable energy from organic waste, will investigate the possibilities of increasing the amount of biogas produced in Sweden.

The partnership combines Nature Energy’s expertise in the development and operation of large-scale biogas production plants with Nordion Energi’s strength in the operation and development of energy infrastructure. The ambition is to make it possible to connect new biogas production to the gas grid.

Biogas is a renewable energy source that can replace fossil natural gas. Ambitions for more biogas in the Swedish energy system are now one step closer to becoming a reality.

The partnership aims to promote the possibility of connecting plants with biogas production to the gas grid in south-western Sweden by 2030, subject to final investment decisions by both parties.

“This means that we can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by enabling industry and heavy transport to switch to renewable energy sources more quickly,” explains Hans Kreisel, CEO of Nordion Energi, continuing:

“Biogas is already playing an important role in the green transition of the energy system. And for many companies, access to biogas is crucial for them to be able to convert their production. By having large-scale biogas production connected to the gas grid, we can offer a secure, sustainable biogas supply to customers who need it,” says Hans Kreisel, emphasising that Nordion Energi is now taking a major step towards achieving its ambition of becoming the first fossil-free gas grid in Europe.

Biogas currently accounts for 37.5% of the gas in the western Swedish gas grid, and this proportion is steadily increasing.

Circular economy

A modern biogas plant extracts methane and carbon dioxide from organic waste from industry, agriculture and households, and produces biogas, which in turn can replace fossil natural gas.

The degassed biomass is returned to agriculture, where it is used as a fertiliser of the same quality as raw manure.

Major potential in Sweden

In Denmark, Nature Energy already operates 13 biogas plants that produce about one third of the biogas in the Danish gas grid. Nature Energy is the leading single producer in Europe. The company also has a number of new construction projects under way in the Netherlands, France, the USA and Canada.

According to Ole Hvelplund, CEO of Nature Energy, there is potential to expand this growing business in Sweden:

“Sweden has a well-developed gas grid that is constantly being developed. At the same time, there is plenty of biomass for our large-scale plants, and when we can deliver upgraded biogas to the gas grid, we see exciting potential for future investments. We look forward to further exploring this potential in collaboration with Nordion,” he says.

Once government agencies have granted the relevant permits, it usually takes 18 months for Nature Energy to build a biogas plant.

Contact information

Saila Horttanainen, Director Communications, Nordion Energi, +46 70 622 76 06

Rasmus Carlsen, Communications Director, Nature Energy, mobile +45 30 28 67 20

Facts

• Nature Energy’s plants typically produce 20 million m3 of upgraded biogas, equivalent to approximately 0.2 TWh
• The surplus CO2 from the biogas plants can either be used in PtX plants, where CO2 together with hydrogen is turned into biogas, or it can be collected and used in industry for welding, food production or dry ice.
• Nature Energy currently operates 13 large biogas plants in Denmark and supplies about 1/3 of the biomethane in the Danish gas grid. The company is planning more plants in Denmark, and in the coming years will start to establish biogas plants in the rest of Europe, as well as in the USA and Canada.
• Nordion Energi specialises in energy infrastructure and is driven by a clear purpose: to help drive the transition to 100% green energy. Nordion Energi is the TSO (Transmission System Operator) for the Swedish core grid for gas and also owns and operates the country’s largest gas distribution grid, together with electricity grid operations.
• Nordion Energi makes sure that industries, municipalities, CHP plants, households, filling stations and restaurants always receive their energy in a sustainable and safe way.
• In south-western Sweden, where Nordion operates, gas accounts for around 20% of the energy mix. For many industries, gas is a necessary feedstock in production.
• A large proportion of biogas is already transported in the Swedish gas grid. The proportion is 37.5% and is increasing steadily.
• Nordion Energi also develops infrastructure for liquefied biogas, hydrogen and CCS